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Bhagwad Gita (English) | Chapter 11 | Verse 51

Chapter 11, Verse 51

The Universal Form

When Arjuna saw Krishna in His true form, he said: Now that I see You in this beautiful human-like shape, my mind feels calm, and I feel like I am back to my true self.


Verse

अर्जुन उवाच
दृष्ट्वेदं मानुषं रूपं तवसौम्यं जनार्दन।
इदानीमस्मि संवृत्तः सचेताः प्रकृतिं गतः।।11.51।।


arjuna uvācha
dṛiṣhṭvedaṁ mānuṣhaṁ rūpaṁ tava saumyaṁ janārdana
idānīm asmi saṁvṛittaḥ sa-chetāḥ prakṛitiṁ gataḥ

Meaning of each word

arjunaḥ uvācha — Arjun said;
dṛiṣhṭvā —
seeing;
idam —
this;
mānuṣham —
human;
rūpam —
form;
tava —
your;
saumyam —
gentle;
janārdana —
he who looks after the public, Krishna;
idānīm —
now;
asmi —
I am;
saṁvṛittaḥ —
composed;
sa-chetāḥ —
in my mind;
prakṛitim —
to normality;
gataḥ —
have become

Interpretation

In this verse, Arjuna is expressing how seeing Krishna in a human form brings him peace. It shows that Krishna's original form is not just any ordinary shape but a beautiful human-like figure. This part of the verse emphasizes the idea that Krishna, although divine and capable of showing amazing cosmic forms, also appears in a relatable and gentle form.

The interpretation also warns against thinking of Krishna as just a regular person. Some people mistakenly view Him as ordinary, not realizing that He is the Supreme Being with special powers that allow Him to show different forms, like the grand universal form or the four-armed Vishnu form. These unique abilities prove that He is much more than a human being. He can't merely be a regular man if He can display such incredible forms.

This message is important because many might wrongly claim that Krishna is just expressing the ultimate reality, or the impersonal aspect of God, instead of being a personal divine figure. Such views are considered insensitive to Krishna's true divine nature.

A true devotee, or someone with deep faith in Krishna, understands these teachings without getting misled by the wrong interpretations of others. They are aware that the original verses of the Bhagavad-gita are straightforward and shine brightly like the sun, free from confusing claims. They see Krishna as a multifaceted being who can manifest in many ways, including as a loving friend or guide. Essentially, this verse reassures us that there is profound significance to the forms Krishna takes, and understanding this leads to a true appreciation of His divinity.


Other Verses of Chapter 11
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